The Temple of Art and Literature II

Scholar writing New Years wishes outside the Temple
February 20, 2014 at 10:12 pm  •  Posted in architecture, Art, Education, Inspiration, Vietnam by

Turning that last corner we finally gazed upon the seemingly shorter walls of the Temple of Art and Literature. It felt like everywhere I looked some memory or snippet of my eight year old self flashed before my eyes. So, although the sidewalk bordering the wall was crowded with scholars writing New Years wishes to people in ancient Vietnamese characters, all I could see was a friendly, old guy with a stool, a mirror on the brick, scissors, and myself with Jones on my lap as he was about to get his first haircut.

Jones getting his first haircut on my lap at the Temple of Art and Literature

Chien getting his first haircut on my lap at the Temple of Art and Literature 

 

Scholar painting new year's wishes outside the Temple

Scholar painting new year’s wishes outside the Temple

Half of me was in the past as we navigated our way over and through the doors to the temple. It was all the same to me, besides the crush of people brought by the Tet holiday. Though when we got to the famous stone turtles everything flipped and suddenly this was a whole other place that I had never been before. Just a single bar; a piece of metal—that’s all it truly was—yet out of everything that has changed in Hanoi this was the one that really showed to me how things evolve and become different over the years. Standing near the edge of the metal fence I was brought back to the time when all of us would zigzag around the turtles, running and jumping off the heads. Now all we could do was look and remember. A part of me was overwhelmed by a feeling of great satisfaction as I was able to be there before the barrier was installed. Perhaps that is why returning to a travel destination time and time again is so appealing.

Tuck peeking out of the giant stone turtles

Thang peeking out of the giant stone turtles back in 2009 when we could walk among them

Jones playing between the stone memorial tablets

Chien playing hide and go seek 5 years ago

 

This is as close as you can get to the turtles today but you can donate money :)

This is as close as you can get to the turtles today but here’s a table where you can donate money 

For fun, feel free to read my post on the Temple of Art and Literature from 2009! http://misopiso.blogspot.com/2009/02/temple-of-art-literature.html also, you can see the an old post on the haircuts too: http://misopiso.blogspot.com/2009/02/no-more-mullets.html   

 

Yve

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4 Comments

  1. kelly brophy / February 21, 2014 at 7:22 am /

    Good Morning from California! Cuddled up on the couch with my coffee, I read your story and felt as if I were there. You’re such a great writer!! Than you Eve for sharing your experience both past an present. Look forward to starting the day with you guys tomorrow :) We miss you!

    • Yve / February 21, 2014 at 6:23 pm /

      Thank you so much! Miss you guys too xo

  2. Stephanie Craig (@steffinseattle) / February 21, 2014 at 3:25 pm /

    What’s up with the Turtle barricade? Trying to preserve?

    • Yve / February 21, 2014 at 6:26 pm /

      Who knows… maybee

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